Bulldogs defeat Rosebud-Lott on senior night
The Marlin Bulldogs football team hosted the Rosebud-Lott Cougars on senior night. The Bulldogs defeated the Cougars 32-18.
Marlin received to the ball to start the game. Marlin went down the field and would get a 26-yard run by Mario Hopwood (8). Marlin came up empty on that drive as they failed to convert a fourth down attempt. The Bulldogs played excellent defense and forced the Cougars to punt. Marlin would give the ball right back to the Cougars as Desmond Woodson (7) threw an interception. The Bulldog defense responded in a big way with a massive 101-yard pick six by Zha’Mauryon Lofton (6) to take a 7-0 lead. The first quarter ended with Marlin leading 7-0.
Marlin continued to play strong on defense and forced Rosebud-Lott to punt. Marlin responded on offense with a 10-yard touchdown run by Ty’Raun Bell (5) to make it a 13-0 lead after a missed extra point. The Bulldog defense came out and forced the Cougars to punt once again. Marlin exploded on offense with a 60-yard run by Bell, followed with a 23-yard run by Woodson. The Bulldogs scored on a 10-yard touchdown run by Woodson to make it a 19-0 lead. Rosebud-Lott responded with nice drive that ended with a 3-yard touchdown run for a score of 19-6, which would be the score going into halftime.
Marlin took the Cougars by surprise and tried an onside kick to start the second half and recovered it. The Bulldogs took advantage of that success with a 46-yard touchdown pass from Woodson to Lofton (6) for a 26-6 lead. Marlin came back on offense after they would force a Rosebud-Lott fumble. The Bulldogs faced a fourth and 4 and converted it by scoring on a 29-yard touchdown pass from Woodson to Jeoffrey Mims (3) to take a commanding 32-6 lead. The Bulldog defense bent a little and allowed a 25-yard run from Rosebud-Lott. The Cougars marched down the field, were faced with a fourth 2 and converted it. Rosebud-Lott completed the drive, scoring on a 12-yard touchdown run, making the score 32-12. The Cougar defense held tough and Marlin was forced to punt. The third quarter ended with Marlin leading 32-12.
Rosebud-Lott scored on a 13-yard touchdown run to close the gap to 32-18 after a failed two point try. Marlin and Rosebud-Lotts defense took turns with strong stands and forced two consecutive punts. Marlin gave the ball back to the Cougars as Woodson threw an interception. The Cougars faced a fourth and 4 and converted it with a 19-yard pass. That would be all that they could generate as Marlin would win 32-18.
Ty’Raun Bell had a great game, rushing for 107 yards and a touchdown. Jeoffrey Mims also had a great game with three catches for 68 yards and a touchdown. Zha’Mauryon Lofton was a nightmare for Rosebud-Lott. Along with an interception returned for a touchdown on defense, he also had three catches for 56 yards and a touchdown.
“When we scouted them, we knew we were going to get a lot of man coverage and they kind of threw a few wrinkles to us,” Coach Ruben Torres said. “They played a little bit more zone and matchup zone. Once we started kind of getting out of sync, we had to go to our run game. I felt like in the end of the first quarter, early second quarter, with Ty (Ty’Raun) Bell and Desmond (Woodson) toting the ball, I felt like our run game kind of settled us in, put them on their heels, and gave us a chance to really get moving.”
Desmond Woodson had a phenomenal game, throwing for 156 yards and two touchdowns, along with rushing for 82 yards and a touchdown and seems to be fully healthy once again after his injury.
“I think when you saw that deep post (pass) against the wind, that showed that his arm’s back, he’s healthy,” Torres said. “He’s been battling a shoulder deal. He got hurt in the Mart game and he missed a few games. I really do feel like he’s back and he’s in rhythm. I feel very comfortable putting the ball in his hands.”
Up next for the Bulldogs will be on the road against the Valley Mills Eagles for their regular season finale.
“I think it’s a reality check for us,” Torres said. “Valley Mills is the probably best one-win team in the state in my opinion in 2A. They’re getting better every week. They’re quarterback and running back are settling in, so it’s going to be important for us to play clean, and really stop giving up big third down conversions. We just got to get sharp, especially going into the first round.”
The game will be on Friday and is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.